Ebook
In response to a contemporary cultural situation in which human dignity is gravely threatened, Christian Friendship proposes a recovery of friendship as a new way of re-establishing the interpersonal communion that characterizes the human person created in the image of God. The author seeks to recover a genuine understanding of friendship by exploring ancient philosophy and the Catholic theological tradition. By examining the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, Anselm, and others, Christian Friendship proposes a new way for Catholics to address the cultural issues besetting the Christian community today.
“John Bequette's Christian Friendship: Engaging the
Tradition, Transforming the Culture makes an important
contribution to our understanding of friendship as the crowning
achievement of human culture. In doing so, the author traces over
the course of four historical periods the concept of relationality
as something inherent to our design as rational beings created in
the image and likeness of God. This book really is a must-read for
those seeking to understand how the philosophical and theological
anthropology of interpersonal communion is transformative of
culture and increases human flourishing.”
—Sebastian Mahfood, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies,
Vice-President of External Affairs, Holy Apostles
“This exposition of Christian friendship is a must read for anyone
who cares about transforming our culture! Infected with
consumerism, restlessness, and disconnectedness, we tend to use
everything, including other people, as a mere means. An essential
part of any remedy will involve recovering true friendship,
especially Christian friendship, built on loving others for
their own sakes. Dr. Bequette eloquently articulates the
character of genuine friendship and exhorts us to live it
wholeheartedly.”
Benjamin J. Brown, Professor of Theological Studies. Lourdes
University
John P. Bequette is Professor of Theology at the University of
Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has published several
books and numerous articles. His most recent publication is an
edited volume Companion to Medieval Christian Humanism
(2016).